Convo Center to host emergency response event

DeKALB – The Northern Illinois University Convocation Center will host a practice response and recovery exercise simulating a large catastrophic incident in the Chicago metropolitan area Wednesday.

The exercise will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The exercise will simulate the response to an actual emergency. Emergency responders will provide mass care and emergency assistance, shelter assignment, transportation coordination, family reunification, and provision of individual assistance before individuals relocate to more permanent, long-term shelters.

The convocation center is one of three regional hubs used to coordinate evacuation in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. In the event of a disaster such as severe flooding, a tornado outbreak, catastrophic earthquake or a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear explosion or dispersion, NIU would be used for processing individuals to move them to more permanent shelter or temporary housing.